Shock absorber for lighting units



April 1929- A. J. THOMPSON SHOCK ABSORBER FOR LIGHTING UNITS Filed March 28, 1927 Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES ALLISON J. THOMPSON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR LIGHTING UNITS.

Application filed March 28, 1927. Serial No. 178,995.

This invention relates to lump hanger structures, and more particularly to means in such a structure whereby the lamp fixture may be resiliently supported and allowed universal swinging motion; and to means whereby the structure is adaptable for use in connection with avariety of different but more or less standard fixtures providing means of lamp suspension.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide improved means of lamp suspension, whereby lamps of various weights may be resiliently supported for the purpose of protections of the lamp filament from breakage due to vibration; and whereby the .amp

with its immediately adjacent auxiliaries such as the socket into which it is turned and the reflector with which it operates may be free to swing, as in the case of an open air installation where the same is exposed to strong winds.

Another object is to allow for the lamp movements described, but at the same time prevent any rotary movement of the lamp as about its axis; whereby the beam of an angle reflector used with the lamp will not be materially disturbed.

Another object of the invention is to provide the lamp hanger structure which comprises my invention, with securing means capable of functioning selectively with a number of different forms of more or less standard supporting means.

Still another object of the invention is to accomplish the above objects in a simple and inexpensive structure capable of convenient assembly or disassembly without the use of bolts. screws or the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for the necessary wiring connections for the lamp in whatever particular form of installation my device may be applied.

The exact nature of the invention together with further objects and advantages thereof ill be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a verti'al elevation partly in section of my device. taken in the plane ot line l1. Fig. 3. showing the same in full lines as e iploycd in connection with a lowerable fixture shown in broken lines, such as that shown complete in my co-pending application Serial No. 111,745 filed May 26, 1926; Fig. 2 is a similar sectional elevation of my invention as taken in diametrical plane of line 22, Fig. 3 and in broken lines another type of supporting fixtures in use therewith; Fig. 3 is an enlarged bottom view of the device; Fig. 4- is a sectional detail of the upper portion of the device in the plane of line H, Fig. .3 showing in broken lines still another supporting means; and Fig. 5 is a detail section taken alon the line 5-4) of Fig. 2. k

The principal parts of my device are a generally semi-spherical or bell-shaped canopy member 1 having spaced peripherally about its mouth a number of inwardly ex tending projections 2; an apertured plate 3 position d in the mouth of the canopy by engagomcnt with the 'n'ojections; a spring 4 seating upon the plate and extending upwardly in the canopy, and a generally tubular stem 5 resiliently supported by the spring 4:. I Coaxial with the canopy and preferably integral therewith is an upwardly extending turret-like projection 6 forming a cylindrical recess in the upper end of the canopy, and provided with an axial aperture 7. The turret 6 may be circumferentiallv threaded as indicated in Figs. 1 and Q whereby the same may be turned into coriespondingly threaded openings such those shown in the figures immediately referred to, for support. Spaced from and about the apertures 7 are a number of lugs 8, such as four, adapted to secure from rotation in the turret a bolt head or nut as shown in Fig. at. Preferably three projec tions 2, equi-spaced, are provided; the projections being oi generally pyramidal form. that is of generally triangular section as in dicated in the drawings. 7

The plate 3 is generally of somewhat lesser diameter than that of the mouth of the canopy and is provided with radiallv extending projections 9 corrcs )ondinti' iii number and of notched conformation, of in verted V-seetion. adapted to seat upon their respective projections 2 with surface contact to produce a centering or wedging effect; spaced medially of the projections as are a corresponding number of similarly spaced notches 1O sufficiently deep to clear the points of projections 2 when aligned therewith, whereby the plate 3 may be passed through the mounth of the canopy. Radially extending raised portions 11 are provided upon the lower or outer face oi ltltl the plate for convenient thumb hold with the same, whereby the plate may be easily rotated to align either the projections 9, or notches 10, with the projections 2. The plate is provided with a rather large concentric aperture 12 into which extend diametrically opposed projections 13 notched as at 14 for a purpose to be described. The inner or upper face of the plate is provided with an upstanding flange 15 surrounding the opening 12 and forming an annular shoulder.

The spring 4 is of the tapering helical or bee-hive type indicated, its lower terminating convolution supported upon the plate 3 and concentrically positioned thereon by the flange 15, the spring extending upwardly within the canopy, with convolutions of decreasing diameter, to an upper terminating convolution of diameter suliicient to clear the stem as will be described.

The stem 5 is split or forked at its upper end, into a Y-shape terminating in a pair of arcuate lips 16 engaging the upper extremities of the spring 4, to thus support the stem axially of the canopy, the lips 16 being of sutiicient diameter to limit the upward motion of the stem by engagement with that portion of the canopy surrounding the turret. The stem is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending projections 7 corresponding with the notches 14 of the plate 3 whereby the stem 5 supported upon the spring l is capable of spring opposed longitudinal movement, and universal swinging movement of considerable angularity, but secured against rotation in the plate. The lower end of the stem is threaded to fit a lamp receiving fixture 18.

The parts of my device form a simple. unitary lamp hanger structure as illustrated and may be disassembled without the use of tools as follows: The curved portion of the canopy is engaged by the fingers of both hands, the thumbs engaging the raised portions 11 of the plate 3. The plate is pressed inwardly by the thumbs against the spring 4 until the projections 9 are unseated and clear the projections 2. The plate is then rotated until the notches 10 are aligned with the projections 2, the pressure of the thumbs being thereupon released allo Eng the spring 4; to eject the plate from the canopy. The stem 5 may thereupon be lifted out of the spring. and the spring from the plate. Assembly of the device may be obviously as easily accomplished, by performing the operations described, in reverse order.

By providing the canopy with the turret as illustrated and described, the canopy and therefore the device as a unit may be conveniently secured for suspension from any of the several more or less standard types of fixtures indicated in the broken lines in the drawings; and the wiring arrangement of these several installations may be effected as conveniently also as illustrated. For instance in the installation indicated in Fig. 1 the device as a unit is merely screwed into the socket 19 provided, the necessary wires 20 being led to the lamp socket inwardly and upwardly through the opening 12 in the plate, inwardly through the lateral openings provided by the Y-formation of the stem 5, and downwardly through the hollow of the stem all as indicated.

In the installation indicated in Fig. 2 the device is similarly secured in the outlet 21 of a standard conduit terminal box the wiring in this case being etlectcd by passing the lead wires 20 through the opening 7 in the turret, the leads being connected with the line wires 23 as usual through the pig tails indicated which a low vertical extension of the lead wires to accommodate the motion of the lamp subject to the spring 4.

In the installation of Fig. lthe stem at of an eye-bolt is passed through the opening 7 and threaded into a nut 25 secured from rotation by the lugs 8; in this case the wiring being effected as in the installation shown in Fig. 1.

It will be noted that the side members 26 forming the notches ot the projections 9 extend deeply downwards. By providing three projections 2, forming the cooperating surfaces of these projections and the projections 9 of the sloping conformation described, and so extending the members the plate 3 is self centering in the canopy and normally seated with wedging surface contact, but should swinging motion of the stem 5 be sutticient in any direction to tilt the plate 3 and thus unseat any pair of members 9 and 2 the plate will simply pivot; upon the projecticns remaining in engagement and will r -t maintaing its center under the action of the spring immediately upon release from the action of the disturbing force whereby the tilting plat-e will not be liable in service to rotate and drop out, permitting the lamp to fall.

By employment of the bee-hive type of spring described, the device as a unit. is adapted to resiliently support lamps of various weights, and function in connection with the same with or without the additional weight of a relic tor, guard, etc. The lower convolutions of the spring being of greater diameter are yieldable under less compressive stresses than are required to deform the upper convolutions; the spring being thus self-accommodating to lamps of varying weight. I

hat I claim is:

1. In a lamp hanger structure, a canopy adapted to be secured in suspension from its upper end, inwardly extending projections spaced about the mouth of said canopy, an apcrtured plate seating upon said projecltlt) lit) tions and tiltable upon any thereof, said canopy having a portion adapted to prevent unseating ol raid plate, a spring seating upon said plate and extending within said canopy and a stem supported upon said spring, extei'iding through the aperture ot said plate for vertical and tilting movement therein, and adapted for supporting? engagement with a lamp receiving; fixture.

2. In a lamp hanger structure, a adapted to be secured in suspension tr upper end, inwardly CXtQlltlillf projections spaced about the mouth of said ranopy, an apertured plate seated upon said projectitnis, a tapering, spring seating upon said plate with its small end extending within said canopy, and a tubular stein extending through the aperture ol said plate for vertical and tilting movement therein, and adapted for supporting engagement l a lamp receiving fixture, the upper end or said stem having lateral openir and outwardly curved portions seating upon said springs small end, whereby wires may he led upwards through the plate aperture :1 ul within st id 'anopy and spring, inwards through said lateral openings, and downward through said stem.

anopy em its In a lamp hanger structure, a c adapted to be secured in suspension upper end, an apertured plate, inwar l tendin pyramidal projections spaced ahou the mouth of said canopy, corres oild i V-shaped notches on the periphery of H2 i. plate adapted l'or eiinzageni nt with said projections to secure the plate in said canopy mouth, but allow tilting thereof upon any of said projections, corresponding notclna; on said plate interspaced between said \Lshaped notches and adapted to clear said projections to allow removal of said plate, a sp 111;; seating upon said plate and extending;

stern su u'iortwtl upon said spring, extending throigh aperture ol' said plate for vertical and tilt-- porting engagement with a lamp receiving fixture.

rithin said :anopy and a tubular i the ing movement therein, and adapted for sup- 4. In a lamp hanger structure, a canopy adapted to be secured in suspension from its upper end, and apertured plate, said canopy and plate having peripheral portions intcrengaging to removably support said plate in said canopy mouth and allow tilting: movement of said plate therein, a spring seating upon said 1 late and extendi 11gwithin said canopy, and a stem supported on said ring. extending through the aperture of at plate and adapted for supporting engragvment with a lamp receiving fixture.

In a lamp hanger structure, a canopy adapted to be secured in suspension from its upper end, an apertured plate, paid canopy and plate ha ine peripherznly spaced portions intercnp a no to removahly support said plate in said canopy mouth, and allow plate tiltin movement but prevent plate rotation therein, a. spring seating upon said plate and extending}; within said c: nopy, and a stem supported on salt spring, extending tlircugjti the aperture of said plate and ada )ted for support ng; engragenient with a. lamp rece 'in fixture, said plate and said n havii interengageahle portions arrang fel to allow longitudinal and tilting motio of the stem in the plate but to prevent rotation of the stem therein 6. In a lamp hanger structure, a canopy adapted to be secured in suspension from its upper end, inwardly extending projections paced about the mouth of said canopy, an pertured plate seating on said projections, a sp'ri lg seating upon said plate and extendinst within said canopy and a tubular :1 supported upon said spring, extending through the aperture of said plate, adapted for supporting engagement with lame receiving fixture, Sill-J. stem having); is teral openings within said canopy whereby wires may be led upwards hrnigh the apertures in said plate, inwards through said openings, and downwards through said stem.

In testimony whereof I hereby signature.

atiix my ALLISON J. THOMPSON. 

